Going Beyond Intelligence

How to raise happily productive kids

Environment
Children and Climate Change

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on June 19, 2026

Kids are worried about the deteriorating condition of the planet they're inheriting. They deserve to be part of the conversation so they can contribute to climate solutions.

Kids are worried about the deteriorating condition of the planet they're inheriting. They deserve to be part of the conversation so they can contribute to climate solutions.

Intelligence
Not Gifted (Yet)? Don’t Worry

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on February 10, 2026

Being labeled "gifted" as a child can have benefits, but it also carries risks. Many highly capable kids miss the gifted cutoff but go on to succeed at school, career, and life.

Being labeled "gifted" as a child can have benefits, but it also carries risks. Many highly capable kids miss the gifted cutoff but go on to succeed at school, career, and life.

Adolescence
Chore Therapy for Troubled Tweens and Teens

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on December 8, 2025

Troubled tweens and teens need to feel loved, valued, and respected. Household chores can be a surprisingly powerful tool in a parent's toolbox for helping that happen.

Troubled tweens and teens need to feel loved, valued, and respected. Household chores can be a surprisingly powerful tool in a parent's toolbox for helping that happen.

Parenting
Are Sleepovers Dangerous?

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on October 23, 2025

Parents and experts have a lot of concerns about kids' sleepovers, but there are many important benefits, too. Here are ideas to ensure a safe and successful sleepover experience.

Parents and experts have a lot of concerns about kids' sleepovers, but there are many important benefits, too. Here are ideas to ensure a safe and successful sleepover experience.

Intelligence
The Benefits of a One-Day-a-Week Gifted Program

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on September 21, 2025

A full-time gifted program isn't always the best option for meeting a child's gifted learning needs. A good alternative for your child might be guided project-based learning.

A full-time gifted program isn't always the best option for meeting a child's gifted learning needs. A good alternative for your child might be guided project-based learning.

Education
What Standardized Test Scores Tell Us—and What They Don't

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on August 28, 2025

Creativity, special needs, knowledge, thoughtfulness, and being Black can all undermine students' scores on standardized tests. College admissions decisions need many information sources.

Creativity, special needs, knowledge, thoughtfulness, and being Black can all undermine students' scores on standardized tests. College admissions decisions need many information sources.

Adolescence
Is Your Child or Teen Buying Anti-Aging Products?

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on June 25, 2025

Tweens and teens are watching TikTok influencers demonstrate costly, unnecessary skin care routines that harm their skin. Here are some ways parents can counteract these messages.

Tweens and teens are watching TikTok influencers demonstrate costly, unnecessary skin care routines that harm their skin. Here are some ways parents can counteract these messages.

Adolescence
Possibility, Promise, and Peril in "Adolescence"

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on April 3, 2025

"Adolescence" is a brilliant and disturbing illustration of how things can go fatally wrong in early adolescence. Pay attention to help kids get through those years to adulthood.

"Adolescence" is a brilliant and disturbing illustration of how things can go fatally wrong in early adolescence. Pay attention to help kids get through those years to adulthood.

Relationships
What Kind of Person Do You Want Your Child to Become?

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on December 13, 2024

While it's important to love your child just the way they are, it's also important to help them gain the tools to become the best possible adult they're in the process of becoming.

While it's important to love your child just the way they are, it's also important to help them gain the tools to become the best possible adult they're in the process of becoming.

Gratitude
Give Your Child the Gift of Gratitude

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on December 2, 2024

Don't despair at your child's seasonal transformation into Veruca Salt. Help them find their inner Tiny Tim, overflowing with gratitude and loving appreciation all year long.

Don't despair at your child's seasonal transformation into Veruca Salt. Help them find their inner Tiny Tim, overflowing with gratitude and loving appreciation all year long.

Stress
You’re a Parent. That’s Why You’re Stressed Out.

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on November 24, 2024

We're in a stress epidemic, and according to the Surgeon General, parents are dangerously stressed. That only adds to kids' worries. Here are 7 ways to manage.

We're in a stress epidemic, and according to the Surgeon General, parents are dangerously stressed. That only adds to kids' worries. Here are 7 ways to manage.

Anxiety
An Antidote to Anxiety, One Sustainable Step at a Time

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on October 20, 2024

Hurricanes and other natural disasters are increasing kids' worries. Parents can help by supporting kids in finding a growth mindset and taking small steps to sustainability.

Hurricanes and other natural disasters are increasing kids' worries. Parents can help by supporting kids in finding a growth mindset and taking small steps to sustainability.

Parenting
Why Kids Need Lazy Summer Days

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on July 23, 2024

A Personal Perspective: How many kids are having an old-fashioned summer, where they get to make their own fun?

A Personal Perspective: How many kids are having an old-fashioned summer, where they get to make their own fun?

ADHD
ADHD in Early Adolescence: Challenges and Opportunities

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on July 17, 2024

As a child with ADHD enters the teen years, they need help with coping strategies if they're going to make wise decisions. Here are some ideas for encouraging them to thrive.

As a child with ADHD enters the teen years, they need help with coping strategies if they're going to make wise decisions. Here are some ideas for encouraging them to thrive.

Divorce
Children and Divorce: The 3 Big Questions

Dona Matthews Ph.D. on January 19, 2024

Many parents worry that splitting up will hurt their kids. That can be true initially, but if parents handle it with love and maturity, kids can become stronger and more resilient.

Many parents worry that splitting up will hurt their kids. That can be true initially, but if parents handle it with love and maturity, kids can become stronger and more resilient.

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Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

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